The New York Yankees might look rock solid, but the concrete at their new stadium is drawing extra scrutiny amid a probe of construction companies.

Concrete ramps at the $1.5 billion ballpark have been troubled by cracks this summer.

The New York Times reports that the team is trying to determine whether there was something wrong with the cement, or the installation and design of the ramps. The Yankees and Angels were rained out last night in Game 6 of the American League Championship Series at Yankee Stadium.

The inquiry comes after the owners of a company involved in designing the concrete mix were indicted on charges that they either faked or failed to perform some required tests.

A team spokesperson says the cracks are a cosmetic issue and the ramps are safe.

Pedro Martinez stood on the mound in The House That Ruth Built many times during big games, listening to the taunts, jeers and insults from Yankees fans.

If New York advances to the World Series against the Philadelphia Phillies, Martinez would love to get the ball again at Yankee Stadium, the new $1.5 billion version. He won't be intimidated by the crowd, that's for sure.

"To have 60,000 people looking at one guy to deliver that ball and all of them chanting 'Pay-dro! Pay-dro!' is a great honor," Martinez said recently. "To pitch at Yankee Stadium on one of the greatest stages to play on, it's an unbelievable feeling."

The defending champion Phillies haven't set their rotation for the World Series, which starts Wednesday in New York or Anaheim, Calif. Manager Charlie Manuel could base his decision on the opponent.

L.A. soap opera:On the eve of the NLCS this week, Dodgers owner Frank McCourt and his wife Jamie confirmed this week they had separated. Adding to the sideshow drama, attorneys for both volleyed contra-dictory claims of who really owns the team. Dennis Wasser, who represents Jamie McCourt, rebuts Frank McCourt's claim to be sole owner. Said Wasser: "We are confident that ... the Dodgers will be determined to be community property, owned 50 percent by each of the McCourts."

Pirate factor: The Yankees dropped Eric Hinske, acquired from the Pirates at mid-season, off the ALCS roster in favor of Freddy Guzman.

Of all the NL teams that have won a World Series over the past century-plus, the Phillies are only the fifth to win a postseason series the following year.

Postseason HRs hit by Derek Jeter after homering last night. He now trails only Manny Ramirez (29) and Bernie Williams (22) on the all-time list.

The Red Sox are done. The Yankees play on. It doesn't sit well with Red Sox fan and would-be author Paul Szantyr, 50. How big a fan is Szantyr? He was diagnosed nearly a decade ago with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, otherwise known as Lou Gehrig's Disease. From the sounds of a story in this week's Boston Globe, he can handle the disease almost better than he can handle its name.

Faced with this multi-level dilemma and maintaining an obvious sense of humor, Szantyr went to work on an as-of-yet unpublished book. Its title? "How Does a Red Sox Fan Get Lou Gehrig's Disease?"

"For over nine years now, I have been living with the ultimate indignity," Szantyr writes in the prologue. "I have a disease named after a Yankee legend!"

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